The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week Nineteen Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

Feb 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates with teammates on the court against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Jazz won 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates with teammates on the court against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Jazz won 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) drives to the hoop against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) drives to the hoop against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

3/5 Utah at Sacramento

4:00 pm MT – Root Sports/NBATV

Opponent record: 25-34

Season series: Tied 1-1

It will be somewhat interesting to see the Jazz play against Sacramento without DeMarcus Cousins on the floor, but that’s exactly the task that lies ahead for them in their final game of Week 19. The Kings looked surprisingly good in their first game after the break as they were able to dispatch a solid Nuggets team, but they quickly came back down to earth after falling to the Hornets two days later.

Without Cousins, the Kings now have a conglomeration of good but not great players and despite being just a single game out of eighth place in the West, will likely turn their focus more towards the future rather than this season.

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/836033116858900484

And the Sacramento front office is banking on the recently acquired Buddy Hield being a part of that bright future. Despite the small sample size, so far he’s played his part well as he is averaging 15.5 points on 55 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from deep in two games with the Kings.

However, for now I have a hard time seeing their hodgepodge roster coming up with enough juice to slow a deep and talented Jazz team. Unfortunately, the Jazz blew an enormous lead to allow the Kings to steal a one-point victory the last time these two teams met, but with no Cousins to account for and a healthy and thriving Jazz team in action, I expect Utah to once again retake the series lead after this contest.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 96, Sacramento 84

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So while I know it’s quite bold, I’m going out on a limb this week and predicting the Jazz to go a perfect 4-0. While it’s only been two games so far, the Jazz have looked rejuvenated and solid coming out of the All-Star break and I expect that to carry over to Week 19’s four-game slate.

Not to mention, Sunday’s win over Washington was truly more impressive than some NBA fans are giving the Jazz credit for. Utah took out a Wizards team that has been playing extremely well of late and had it not been for the Jazz’s 24 turnovers, the game likely would have been even more of a blowout.

Therefore, with their confidence rising and their cohesion thriving, I expect big things from Utah this week as they look to make a statement and create a larger gap between themselves and the fifth-place LA Clippers.

All stats courtesy of NBA.com

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